So at the day of jousts there came Sir Palamides with a black shield,
and he overthrew many knights, that all the people had marvel of him.
For he put to the worse Sir Gawaine, Gaheris, Agravaine, Bagdemagus,
Kay, Dodinas le Savage, Sagramore le Desirous, Gumret le Petit, and
Griflet le Fise de Dieu. All these the first day Sir Palamides struck
down to the earth. And then all manner of knights were adread of Sir
Palamides, and many called him the Knight with the Black Shield. So
that day Sir Palamides had great worship.
Then came King Anguish unto Tramtrist, and asked him why he would not
joust. Sir, he said, I was but late hurt, and as yet I dare not
adventure me. Then came there the same squire that was sent from the
king’s daughter of France unto Sir Tristram. And when he had espied Sir
Tristram he fell flat to his feet. All that espied La Beale Isoud, what
courtesy the squire made unto Sir Tristram. And therewithal suddenly
Sir Tristram ran unto his squire, whose name was Hebes le Renoumes, and
prayed him heartily in no wise to tell his name. Sir, said Hebes, I
will not discover your name but if ye command me.
CHAPTER X. How Sir Tristram won the degree at a tournament in Ireland,
and there made Palamides to bear no more harness in a year.
Then Sir Tristram asked him what he did in those countries. Sir, he
said, I came hither with Sir Gawaine for to be made knight, and if it
please you, of your hands that I may be made knight. Await upon me as
to-morn secretly, and in the field I shall make you a knight.
Then had La Beale Isoud great suspicion unto Tramtrist, that he was
some man of worship proved, and therewith she comforted herself, and
cast more love unto him than she had done to-fore. And so on the morn
Sir Palamides made him ready to come into the field as he did the first
day. And there he smote down the King with the Hundred Knights, and the
King of Scots. Then had La Beale Isoud ordained and well arrayed Sir
Tristram in white horse and harness. And right so she let put him out
at a privy postern, and so he came into the field as it had been a
bright angel. And anon Sir Palamides espied him, and therewith he
feutred a spear unto Sir Tramtrist, and he again unto him. And there
Sir Tristram smote down Sir Palamides unto the earth. And then there
was a great noise of people: some said Sir Palamides had a fall, some
said the Knight with the Black Shield had a fall. And wit you well La
Beale Isoud was passing glad. And then Sir Gawaine and his fellows nine
had marvel what knight it might be that had smitten down Sir Palamides.
Then would there none joust with Tramtrist, but all that there were
forsook him, most and least. Then Sir Tristram made Hebes a knight, and
caused him to put himself forth, and did right well that day. So after
Sir Hebes held him with Sir Tristram.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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